CANADIAN star Eugenie Bouchard wants to prove her “haters” wrong after pulling off a first-round upset over China’s Zhang Shuai at the Sydney International.

Bouchard, the world No. 46 who was given a wildcard to this tournament after being eliminated in her first match in Brisbane last week, beat Zhang 7-6 (7-1) 6-2 at the Sydney Olympic Park Tennis Centre to advance to the second round.

Zhang, ranked 23rd in the world, was broken three times by Bouchard, who has numerous critics and a perceived reputation for being more concerned with posting social media photos than training.

“First and foremost I play tennis for myself,” Bouchard said.

“I want to achieve results and success for myself but sometimes after getting a lot of hate, which of course I do, it’s sometimes a little bit of a motivating factor to try to prove people wrong.

“I want to prove to myself and to everyone that I can do it and I can be successful.

“I’m on that path. There’s a long way to go but I hope I can do that.”

It was just Bouchard’s second win since August.

“I knew that and it’s always tough getting through a first round and a match in the first couple of weeks in the year,” the 22-year-old said.

“I definitely feel rusty. Even today, some big shots I missed when I would expect I wouldn’t.

“I’m really happy I was able to regain my focus on the tie-break. It was ­really important to dominate in that tiebreak and continue to do so in the second set.

“For sure [this win gives me confidence], and I’m happy I get another match to try to keep on improving.

“I haven’t played much since last summer, so that’s what I felt in Brisbane last week, I just need matches, matches, matches.

“I’m grateful I get another one on Tuesday.”

Bouchard will play either Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova or German Laura Siegemund in the second round.